Public sector fleet targets

Current fleet targets

The 2019 PfG established targets for decarbonisation of the public sector fleet. These targets were based on decarbonising the fleet in stages, based on vehicle type: 

• Phase out petrol and diesel cars from our public sector fleet by 2025 and the need for any new petrol and diesel light commercial vehicles.
• Phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles across Scotland’s public sector fleet by 2030.

Whilst there has been positive progress towards public fleet decarbonisation targets, with some public bodies currently on track or already having reached 100% zero-emission fleet, these organisations are in the minority. A range of internal and external factors have influenced progress across the public sector as a whole and progress is varied. The 2025 survey confirmed that the 2019 public fleet target for 2025 has not been met.

This Action Plan focuses on a trajectory towards zero-emission vehicles by 2040, however it is important to recognise the need for interim compliance with LEZ emission standards. Public bodies should prioritise, where zero-emission vehicles are not yet viable, the transition to vehicles that meet or exceed current LEZ requirements to deliver immediate air quality benefits in urban areas.

Revised and proposed public sector fleet target

Development of a public sector fleet decarbonisation Action Plan presents an opportunity to review and update the approach to setting public sector fleet decarbonisation targets. It also enables public bodies to consider how to maximise their ongoing contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next 15 years, taking consistent action to remove greenhouse gas emissions from public sector fleet operations and supporting the commitments set out in the CCP.

Given the scale and pace of emission reductions required to meet wider Net Zero targets, and the challenging fiscal environment the public sector is currently working within, it is important to ensure that the transition to a decarbonised fleet is planned and delivered in a way that aligns with efficient public spending, available technology and operational requirements whilst maximising emissions reductions. This will require an approach that provides an appropriate level of flexibility on how emission reductions are delivered, encouraging local decision making and the development of strategies that identify opportunities to decarbonise the most polluting vehicles as early as possible, where there is a zero-emission equivalent available at an appropriate cost.

A new approach to emissions reduction targets set out in stages was shared and discussed at public sector fleet engagement workshops. Participants gave positive feedback, noting that inclusion of emission reduction targets offered greater flexibility, particularly in the early stages. Under the PfG targets for example there was no flexibility regarding removing all petrol and diesel cars by the end of 2025. Participants also confirmed that the decarbonisation of heavier fleet should be reflected in the later stages of decarbonisation of the fleet.

The proposed target, based on an emission reduction trajectory towards zero-emissions by 2040 of the overall fleet, have been developed in line with the CCP and feedback from public sector fleet managers.

Working towards a progressive reduction in total emissions related to the overall fleet, rather than focusing on varied vehicle types, also offers greater flexibility and local autonomy in determining how this reduction is achieved and what is required to deliver it. Recognising that it is public bodies collective effort that will deliver on meeting the target, those bodies that can decarbonise earlier and faster, particularly fleets with light vehicles, should do so now.

Data from public sector fleet surveys has been used to apply a set of broad assumptions on what would be required by each public body to deliver the progressive emission reduction outlined below, however individual circumstances, including factors such as rurality and specific vehicle uses, will influence exactly how each public body plans and manages the transition of their fleet.

This emission-based approach to target setting will rely on access to accurate and up-to-date data on fleet composition and use to support planning, decision making and monitoring of fleet decarbonisation. Recognising this, the underpinning target for public sector fleet decarbonisation is that all public bodies have a fleet decarbonisation strategy in place by the end of 2026-27 that includes a consistent and proportionate approach to data collection and reporting.

A revised public sector fleet decarbonisation target is proposed below, this % emission reduction applies a 2025 baseline from the 2025 public sector fleet survey and is assumed to be applied across all public bodies. More detail can be found in Annex 3.

Public sector fleet includes road registered fleet vehicles that are owned or leased. Further information on the categorisation of vehicles (heavy vehicles, specialist vehicles, vehicles over 3.5T etc.) and the current composition of the public sector fleet is included in Annex 2.

It will be the responsibility of each public body to consider how it can meet this emission reduction target and include planned actions in a fleet decarbonisation strategy that contributes to decarbonising the public fleet by 2040. Public bodies are strongly encouraged to set stretching targets that are ambitious (but achievable) and go further than national policy.

The end date target to operate the fleet with zero-emissions vehicles by 2040 is assumed to allow some flexibility around emissions resulting from public services being required where zero-emission technology is not available. This can mitigate short-term issues with operation of energy or transport infrastructure or ensure the public sector fleet’s capacity to provide emergency responses is not compromised.